F1 hopeful Alex Dunne says he’s “very excited for what’s to return” after leaving McLaren’s improvement programme.
The 19-year-old System 2 frontrunner’s surprising cut up from McLaren was confirmed on Thursday morning forward of the Singapore Grand Prix.
Dunne, who has impressed in FP1 outings for McLaren this yr, is reportedly near a deal that may see him be part of Crimson Bull’s junior programme.
Such a transfer would open the door for Dunne to graduate to F1 with Crimson Bull’s sister workforce Racing Bulls in 2027 following a second season in F2 in 2026.
There was no opening for a future F1 seat with McLaren, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked all the way down to long-term contracts.
The Irishman teased a potential change in his assertion on social media, which included a line saying he’s “very excited for what’s to return”, adopted by an ‘eye’ emoji.
“From right this moment I’ve mutually determined to half methods with the McLaren driver improvement programme,” Dunne wrote.
“I would wish to thank each particular person at McLaren that has helped me develop and enhance as a driver, to have my first alternative to drive an F1 automotive adopted by two FP1 periods is one thing I will at all times maintain very near my coronary heart, I want all of them the most effective for the longer term. Thanks papaya household.”
McLaren mentioned in an announcement: “It has been a pleasure to work with Alex over the past yr and to contribute to his progress as a driver.
“We want Alex all the most effective for his profession going ahead.”
McLaren cannot supply Alex Dunne F1 likelihood
Analysing the cut up, Sky Sports activities F1 commentator David Croft defined: “It’s a giant shock. McLaren had excessive hopes for Alex Dunne and why not? They described him as a diamond that wanted sprucing.
“He has an enormous capacity. A superb expertise. He’s performed some good stuff in F2, not constantly and has proven the place areas of his driving want sprucing. However he’s proven as nicely he’s very a lot one for the longer term.
“I don’t assume McLaren wished to lose Alex Dunne however they made the choice and it appears, regardless of choices being placed on the desk to Alex, to his household, to his representatives to hold the partnership ahead, these choices weren’t essentially acceptable on the Alex Dunne aspect.
“Ultimately McLaren mentioned ‘nicely we’ve performed what we will do right here. We’re providing as a lot as we will, we imagine in you, we wish to take you ahead. In the event you assume you are able to do higher elsewhere, that’s what you will need to do as a result of we will’t attain an settlement. So the choice was made and McLaren isn’t a part of the McLaren secure.
“However Alex Dunne gained’t be a stranger within the F1 or F2 paddock. He’ll be in F2 once more subsequent yr and he’ll be at F1 I feel at some stage, perhaps as a reserve driver for subsequent season. If we’re trying down the paddock at who have gotten openings of their junior driver improvement, nicely Crimson Bull are searching for drivers.
“Arvid Lindblad is their final driver that’s F1 prepared and he may nicely are available subsequent season on the Racing Bulls workforce, which leaves a niche then for the following driver to step up and that might be Alex Dunne.
“That’s only a paddock hearsay that’s going round however it wouldn’t shock me in any respect if Alex Dunne does find yourself in that Crimson Bull secure.”
